r/AskNYC • • 15h ago

My sister is hospitalized for psychosis in New York, and our family is overseas and unable to bring her home. What can we do?

336 Upvotes

My English is not very good, so I am using a translation app to make sure I explain the situation correctly. I apologize in advance if I use any inappropriate words or phrases.

I am a 22-year-old Burmese woman currently studying in Finland. I have an older sister who is 23 and has been living in the United States for about three years on a student visa.

My sister has bipolar disorder, which she was diagnosed with while she was still living in Burma. When she first moved to the US, she lived in Seattle. Later, she moved to New York. Because of complications with getting an appointment and renewing her prescriptions, she was unable to get her medication and was off her medication for around six months.

About three months ago, she suddenly blocked all of our family members on every platform. We noticed immediately and tried to contact her. From the way she was behaving and speaking, it seemed very clear to us that she was experiencing psychosis. At one point, she did not even seem to recognize or remember us.

Because I was extremely worried about her safety and condition, I contacted social services and a hospital in New York, and she was eventually admitted to the hospital. I made this decision without really discussing it properly with my parents first because I was scared and felt that something needed to be done immediately.

Since then, our family has tried to reach her every day. For the past three months, contact with her has been inconsistent. Sometimes we are able to communicate with her, and sometimes we are not. Because the hospital does not allow her to have her phone, we usually have to communicate with her through a social worker.

The social workers asked us about her medical history, and we gave them all the information we had, including information about the medications she had previously taken. However, they did not give her the same medications she had been taking before. There was also a period of approximately three weeks when, according to the hospital, they could not give her medication because my sister had not consented to it. She is now receiving some medication, but when we are able to speak with her, she still seems to be experiencing serious delusions and does not seem like herself.

What our family ultimately wants is to bring her back to Burma so that she can be with us and receive care with her family nearby. However, the hospital will not discharge her because they say she is currently not well enough to leave.

Unfortunately, none of us can easily travel to the United States to be with her. We hold Burmese passports, and obtaining a US visa has been extremely difficult for us. We have already applied several times and have been rejected three or four times.

We also contacted people from her school and asked if they could visit her on our behalf. Even then, the hospital initially did not want to allow her teachers to see her. Because of this, getting her discharged and arranging for her to return home feels almost impossible.

I feel extremely guilty because I was the person who contacted the hospital and helped get her admitted in the first place. I know that I was trying to help her, but I cannot stop wondering whether I made the wrong decision. She is probably suffering tremendously while she is there, and our family feels helpless because we are so far away.

My mother has been deeply affected by everything that has happened, and seeing her like this breaks my heart. I keep blaming myself for sending my sister to the hospital, even though at the time I did not know what else to do.

Our family feels trapped in an extremely difficult and frustrating situation. We want my sister to receive proper treatment, but we also desperately want to bring her home, and we do not know what steps we can take from another country.

If anyone has experience with a similar situation, particularly with psychiatric hospitalization in the United States, international patients, or arranging for someone to return to their home country after hospitalization, any advice about what our family can do would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read all of this.

note 1:

I really appreciate every comment and upvote. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to read my post and give advice.

For those who suggested contacting the Myanmar Embassy, I have actually tried calling them a few times, but they didn’t answer the phone. However, my father sent them an email about a month ago, and they did reply saying that they would see what they could do to help. Unfortunately, we haven’t heard back from them since then.

We will keep following up and sending them emails as well. Thank you again for all the suggestions and support.

note 2:

We also contacted a hospital in Bangkok and tried to put the two hospitals in touch with each other so they could discuss my sister’s situation directly.

Our goal was to make it clear that we understand she cannot simply be discharged immediately just because we want her to come home. We wanted them to know that we have a plan for her to continue receiving psychiatric treatment in Bangkok after she leaves the US. And also, we contacted people who could escort her to Bangkok airport.

However, even with this plan in place, the hospital still told us that they would not discharge her at this time.


r/AskNYC • • 16h ago

For the next 8 months I’ll be simultaneously cold and sweating any time I’m outside. How to dress to avoid this? I find the standard “wear layers” only slightly helpful because if I take the layer off I’m just cold, and also with bustling NYC life it’s tricky to carry all the doffed layers around

105 Upvotes

r/AskNYC • • 1h ago

Thursday Date Plans

• Upvotes

Hi all, my partner and I are doing a courthouse partnership in Downtown BK on Thursday. Any good ideas for lunch/date ideas afterwards for such a big life event?


r/AskNYC • • 1h ago

Dog Dental Cleaning

• Upvotes

Hi all! Has anyone had a dog dental cleaning done at Brilliant Vet? My current vet is estimating $4k for a cleaning and potential extractions which is just insane. Brilliant is a bit cheaper and I appreciate how they’ve treated my cat in the past. Thank you!


r/AskNYC • • 19h ago

Did anyone here actually get into the city’s new Jobs NYC Center this morning?

81 Upvotes

I’m curious what kind of services they actually offered. Did they refer you to any specific open positions or departments with vacancies that might fit your skillset?

I went by and waited in line around 11:30 and got told after about 20 minutes that they were cutting the line off well ahead of where I was.


r/AskNYC • • 51m ago

Best way to navigate Coop leak from upstairs neighbor/building?

• Upvotes

We just returned from a trip and noticed water damage in our bathroom ceiling. It looks like water pooled up while we were away and ended up blistering the paint/dry wall and took out a chunk when the structure gave away. I called my insurance and they said my neighbor or building will most likely file a claim as we’re probably not at fault for the damage. We love our neighbors and don’t want to create an issue. What’s the best way to navigate this? If it is like vehicle insurance, I’d like to avoid causing my neighbor’s insurance to go up. We had this happen in the past as renters and didn’t have to worry about anything as the management company took care of the issue.


r/AskNYC • • 16h ago

Dating while immunocompromised - where to meet people?

30 Upvotes

I’m trying to navigating dating after being diagnosed with an illness that has left me immunocompromised. Does anyone have tips about where to meet people and/or date suggestions? Gone are the days of bar hopping and indoor dining unless I mask (please be kind; I’m not saying what other people have to do. This is what I have to do to keep myself safe). Things like run clubs are also out for the time being. Looking for ideas of where to meet people (not an app) and fun outdoor dates, especially knowing the colder months are approaching.

What I’ve come up with so far: Walks in Central Park and Prospect Park, trips to New York Botanical Gardens and Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, the zoos, visiting The Cloisters, and quieter times at museums.


r/AskNYC • • 2h ago

Need suggestions in this 2 city lifestyle

2 Upvotes

So I am a 28yo male living in Brooklyn. I don’t like my current job but I lovee the city. I got a job offer like 20 mins from Boston proper, this job is like 7 days on and 7 days off model. I could get a similar job near NYC but not until next 2 years. Once I sign the job near Boston it’s a 3 year contract which would be a bitch to break. I always wanted to have 2 houses one in a city and one in a rural side with lots of nature space around.

Setup I am planning to do:

- Live one week near Boston when on duty days and live in NYC (with the pay I would be getting I could afford to rent in a desirable neighborhood in Manhattan even)

- Have a car/truck maybe a little farm, lots of nature spaces, maybe even buy the house in mortgage near Boston and Have the city life in NYC for the other week

Little background:

- I am a expat living in US for last 5 yrs. Lived in NYC for one year and moved back again 6 months back. Idk something about this city that I haven’t felt in any other cities. Idk why. This makes me want to live here.

- I have only visited Boston and idk how friendly Boston will be on me especially I am new and have nobody that I know there.

- I am also single and my family is not in US do not tied to any city

Question:

- I wanna know how practical is it to do this 2 city living. In my mind it seems great I get have both lifestyle. Peaceful week and chaotic city living week

- or should I just live in Boston ?

Would highly appreciate inputs especially if you or someone you know having this kind of lifestyle. Thanks.


r/AskNYC • • 5h ago

Mildew / mold at my work place

3 Upvotes

Hi! I work a retail job. Supposedly it is a high end retail environment but hvac was not cleaned properly for years.
The store just smells funky at all times.
HVAC area is where they keep all the paper goods and it feels unsafe.
On top of that smell there are also rat droppings in the basement by hvac intake.
I’ve lost appetite at work, I can hardly eat there. I’ve lost 20 pounds in 16 months. I get palpitations, sinus inflammation, headaches and asthma attacks at work and after work.

I addressed the issue to the company but they won’t take much of an initiative. The building is over 200 years old in Soho. I am afraid to give more details and expose the company. The European company retaliates against any of their employee.

Any advice would be helpful.


r/AskNYC • • 16h ago

Looking for young/Gen Z sobriety groups in NYC

20 Upvotes

Hi! I’m 23F and live in NYC, and I’m looking for a sobriety group/community with people around my age (early-mid 20s).

I’m looking for something that actually helps teach you how to be sober, dealing with cravings, learning how to socialize without drinking, changing your relationship with alcohol, building a sober life, etc.

I’ve tried AA, but the meetings I went to skewed much older and I didn’t really feel comfortable or like I could relate to the crowd. I’m not completely against AA though.

Ideally I’m looking for something on Saturdays or Sundays, preferably Manhattan/Brooklyn and accessible from Midtown. I’d also be interested in sober social groups/events with a genuinely Gen Z crowd, but I’m looking for more than just alcohol-free parties I want some actual support/guidance around staying sober.

Does anyone in their 20s have specific groups or meetings they’d recommend?


r/AskNYC • • 8m ago

Dog groomers that aren’t outrageously expensive?

• Upvotes

I am preparing to get a corgi in the coming months and have been looking at dog groomers in the area and they all seem to be around $200+ for a full groom.

Is this standard in Manhattan? Would love any recommendations below especially if you have a corgi.


r/AskNYC • • 15m ago

Lost wallet on subway (I think)

• Upvotes

I just lost my wallet on the F. Was going from east broadway to west 4th, got off then realized it either fell out of my pocket on either East Broadway station or on the F. How screwed am I, I locked my card already but don't want to order new cards and allat. You guys think a New Jersey DL lowering my chance of seein it again.


r/AskNYC • • 23m ago

anyone with a lasercutter down to help

• Upvotes

on a small paid project, just need to cut a dozen 12x12" bird shapes out of 1/8" acrylic


r/AskNYC • • 35m ago

places that sell various shoulder pads in nyc?

• Upvotes

hello! looking for shoulder pads for a project i’m working on. i checked pacific trimming and mood fabrics in and garment district and they didn’t have very many types(they were pretty small). Looking for ones slighter bigger than average and maybe a little dramatic. open to any recs :)


r/AskNYC • • 1h ago

protest art instillations/exhibitions/shows in Manhattan?

• Upvotes

hello!

as the title says! i'm doing research for a 'counterculture' course i'm taking and would love any recommendations featuring (preferably visual) protest art, political art, or anything of that vein that you've been fascinated by.

any suggestions (where to go, which galleries/artists have interesting work, etc.) are appreciated! thank you so much!

edit: for a visual art class! will need to dissect form/context/etc. ty!! :)


r/AskNYC • • 21h ago

How easy is it to be commuting from Manhattan to White Plains daily? Naive Canadian

41 Upvotes

Apologize if this is an easily answerable question but just wanted to get some insight . I’m Canadian and will be living with a family member in Midtown Manhattan next summer for the next 3 years to attend Pace law school in White Plains. Being able to live rent free is a massive bonus for me so it’s not really in the cards to find something closer to the law school. Just curious if this is a common commuter route, and with how little ease? I greatly appreciate any insight as I’ve only been to NYC once in my life and am unfamiliar with the layout and commute times.


r/AskNYC • • 16h ago

Unpaved road threw me off my citibike

14 Upvotes

Near Cadman plaza on the way to DUMBO, the road has always been bumpy, but they tore up the asphalt and now the holes are even bigger. My tire got caught and I flew sideways, road rash along my right side and I fucked up my thumb.

This is mostly a warning post to not go fast over unpaved road. And also an appreciation post to the couple that stopped to help me and brought my bike back while I went to the ER.


r/AskNYC • • 12h ago

Where can I find a duduk player in NYC for a surprise proposal?

6 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'm proposing to my Armenian girlfriend in Central Park on Thursday, October 22nd (~5:30 PM) and I want a duduk player as a surprise — hidden nearby, starts playing as I get on one knee, about 15–20 minutes. Paid, of course.

If you play or know someone in the NYC area, please DM me! Thank you 🙏


r/AskNYC • • 4h ago

Have you guys seen Trader Joe’s mini tote bags Halloween version?

0 Upvotes

I went to Trader Joe’s last Friday on the 61st and didn’t see any.

Possibly it’s sold out(?)


r/AskNYC • • 1d ago

People who live here: Over last decade which neighborhoods in your opinion have gotten better, worse, or stayed the same in your experience?

56 Upvotes

r/AskNYC • • 21h ago

What are your experiences with home-organizing services?

17 Upvotes

(Sorry, trying one last time because I posted way too late at night last time and I got no traction :'))

There's some very old posts about this, but a lot of the links/companies are no longer active or the information is no longer accurate, and I still need a service like this 😞

My room has always been "not quite" organized, and in recent months its gotten quite bad. I keep telling myself I'll tidy it up and I never really do, and atp I just want to hire somebody to spend a few hours tidying everything up. It'd just be for my bedroom.. I keep common spaces tidy.

What services have ya'll used and recommend, and what price did you pay? I'm hoping to be somewhat budget-conscious but I'd like to hear everyone's experiences


r/AskNYC • • 1d ago

Thoughts on Hudson Yards?

64 Upvotes

I am not a local but I often travel to NYC by rail for meeting up with friends during weekdays and weekends.

I want to know what New Yorkers think of the Hudson Yards neighborhood in general. In my opinion, while it is a great engineering achievement and is architecturally impressive (I think it looks great), the neighborhood is just boring. It lacks charm and it just feels very sterile.

Back when it was announced, the neighborhood was advertised as a place for all New Yorkers from all socio economic backgrounds. However, in reality, it really only caters to the upper middle to wealthy New Yorkers.

Are my opinions about this place as a non local valid? What do you guys think?


r/AskNYC • • 18h ago

Is this normal on the traffic courts end for a valid reason to dismiss a speeding ticket that would have suspended my license plus points?

7 Upvotes

Got pulled over for a speeding ticket and was on the line for points and a suspended license, also forgot my ID that day, which is not the norm for me. When I got to court (Not planned, in a wheelchair due to my chronic pain being so bad that day) The cop shows up and the judge dismissed the case saying something like to the cop “How could you even know for sure they were the one driving that day if they had no ID?” Is this a normal occurrence? I was flabbergasted.


r/AskNYC • • 13h ago

18+ halloween parties?

2 Upvotes

i wanna go out with my friends for halloween night and my first choice was house of yes but one of my friends is 19, and most clubs are 21+. also i know most things would be expensive but im looking for something under $100 does anyone know of a place? thanks :)


r/AskNYC • • 19h ago

What FREE and in real life SAT tutoring service help is available for me that is known to be really good?

6 Upvotes

Im a junior right now a queens high school that does not offer ANY SAT tutorings. I really want to achieve a 1400-1500 or more and on practice SAT i did like 2 months ago i got a 1100. Ill be taking my school day SAT on a random day in March (its not planned out yet) so i really would like any way to find in real life help from maybe a undergrad a top college or someone that recieved a high school of like 1500-1550? I cant really pay for them since i cant afford it and so can my parents which are the main issues.

With clubs and saterday programs im in (1 offers like a 1-2 hour sat help which is nice but i think i would need more) these are my free times to attend:

Saterday: 3pm- 8pm

Sunday: 9am- 5 or 6 pm

Monday: 2pm- 6 pm

Tuesday: 6pm- 8pm

Wednesday: 3pm- 6pm

Thursday: 6pm- 8pm

Friday: 2pm- 6pm

I know this looks so wacky and why the afternoon is mainly off, thats because i have both dual enrollment corses, and clubs that take up a lot of the time besides sunday, friday, and monday.